CVE-2016-9013 in Django
Summary
by MITRE
Django 1.8.x before 1.8.16, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.3 use a hardcoded password for a temporary database user created when running tests with an Oracle database, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access to the database server by leveraging failure to manually specify a password in the database settings TEST dictionary.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-9013 affects the Django web framework version 1.8.x before 1.8.16, 1.9.x before 1.9.11, and 1.10.x before 1.10.3 when executing tests against Oracle database systems. This issue represents a significant security weakness that stems from the framework's default behavior during testing operations, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically targets the temporary database user creation process that occurs when Django runs tests against Oracle databases, demonstrating poor security practices in the framework's test execution environment. This hardcoded credential approach violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that should not exist in properly configured applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to database servers simply by leveraging the predictable default credentials, which represents a critical failure in the principle of least privilege and secure default configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within Django's testing framework where it automatically creates temporary database users for test execution purposes. When developers run Django tests against Oracle databases without explicitly specifying a password in the TEST dictionary configuration, the framework defaults to using a hardcoded password value. This hardcoded credential mechanism creates a persistent security exposure because the password remains constant across different installations and environments, making it easily discoverable and exploitable. The vulnerability manifests through the database connection process where the framework attempts to establish connections using these predictable credentials, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms that would typically require unique, randomly generated passwords for temporary database access. This behavior is particularly dangerous because it occurs during the testing phase, which is often performed in development environments that may have less stringent security controls than production systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and potentially gain full database access. Attackers can leverage this weakness by identifying systems running vulnerable Django versions and exploiting the hardcoded credentials to connect directly to Oracle database servers. The vulnerability affects the entire testing lifecycle of Django applications, meaning that any organization running these vulnerable versions is at risk whenever tests are executed against Oracle databases. This creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by both internal and external adversaries, particularly in environments where database access is not properly restricted or monitored. The attack surface is further expanded because the hardcoded password exists in the source code of the framework itself, making it easily accessible to anyone with knowledge of the vulnerability. This issue particularly impacts organizations that follow automated testing practices or continuous integration pipelines where database testing occurs frequently, as each test execution presents an opportunity for exploitation.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of Django that address this vulnerability, specifically versions 1.8.16, 1.9.11, and 1.10.3 or later. The most effective immediate fix involves explicitly defining passwords in the TEST dictionary configuration within Django settings, ensuring that temporary database users are created with unique, randomly generated credentials rather than relying on hardcoded defaults. This approach aligns with the principle of secure configuration management and the CWE-798 weakness category related to the use of hardcoded credentials. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit database server exposure, particularly during testing phases. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, specifically targeting the use of hardcoded credentials and weak default configurations. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems still running vulnerable versions of Django. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, ensuring that all framework components are maintained at current security standards.